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Υ4201 - PETROLOGY OF METAMORPHIC ROCKS

INSTRUCTORS

Lectures:

D. Kostopoulos, Assoc. Prof.

P. Pomonis, Prof.

Lab. Training:

D. Kostopoulos, Assoc. Prof.

P. Pomonis, Prof.

E. Moustaka, Laboratory Teaching Staff (Lab. Co-assistance)

eClass Webpage

COURSE KEY ELEMENTS

LEVEL / SEMESTER:

EQF level 6; NQF of Greece level 6 / 4th

TYPE:

Scientific Area, General background, Skills development

TEACHING ACTIVITIES - HOURS/WEEK  - ECTS:

Lectures, Practical Exercises, Laboratory exercises, Fieldwork
2 hours of lecturing,
2 hours of practical exercises per week,
6 ECTS credit

Prerequisites:

Recommended:

  • Υ2202 - Systematic Mineralogy-Mineral Identification
  • Y3201 - Igneous Rocks-Magmatic Processes
  • Y3202 - Petrology Of Sedimentary Rocks
 

Language of instruction and Assessment:

Greek  (V.S.1 English)

Availability to Erasmus+ Students:

YES in English

COURSE CONTENT:

A. Lectures

The content of the lectures includes five thematic units:

  • DISTRIBUTION OF PRESSURE, TEMPERATURE AND DENSITY IN THE EARTH (Sources of heat in the crust and mantle, heat flow, continental and oceanic crustal geotherms, lithostatic pressure and tectonic overpressure, spatial distribution of pressure and temperature in crustal-scale shear zones, mineralogical stratification of the upper mantle, geotectonic environments and geothermal gradients, heat transfer during continental collision, and thermal evolution of thickened crust).
  • TYPES OF METAMORPHISM, METAMORPHIC TEXTURES, METAMORPHIC TIME SCALES, METAMORPHISM AND GEOTECTONIC SETTINGS (Criteria for classification of metamorphic types, metamorphic grade, progressive and retrograde metamorphism, isograds, metamorphic facies, series and sequences, spatial distribution of metamorphic facies in active continental margins and oceanic subduction zones, description of metamorphic textures and fabrics, crystalloblastic series).
  • PETROLOGY OF METAMORPHIC ROCKS DERIVED FROM DIFFERENT IGNEOUS AND SEDIMENTARY PROTOLITHS (mafic, ultramafic, argillaceous/pelitic, carbonate, quartzose, quartzofeldspathic).
  • ULTRAHIGH-PRESSURE AND ULTRAHIGH-TEMPERATURE METAMORPHISM (Greek and Bulgarian Rhodope Metamorphic Province).
  • METAMORPHIC CASE STUDIES (Scottish Highlands and Cyclades).

B. Practical Exercises

The content of the practice exercises includes four thematic modules:

  • PART A. Lithostatic pressure in the crust and mantle. Calculation of steady-state continental geotherms and surface heat flow.
  • PART B. ACF and AFM diagrams (mineral and rock projections, identification of metamorphic reactions and facies).
  • PART C. Diffusion, closure temperature and cooling rates. Calculation of chemical zoning in minerals and investigation of the suitability of minerals as chronometers and thermometers.
  • PART D. Thermodynamics. Calculation of metamorphic-reaction boundaries (ideal endmembers and solid solutions, water-absent and water-present reactions, investigation of the importance of heat capacity in the calculations), solution and applications of geothermobarometers.

C. Laboratory Exercises

Macroscopic identification of metamorphic minerals and metamorphic rocks of the Greek area derived from different igneous and sedimentary protoliths.

D. Fieldexercise

ONE-DAY FIELD EXCURSION TO MOUNT PENDELI AND/OR MOUNT HYMETTUS. Training in identifying metamorphic rocks from different igneous and sedimentary protoliths, sampling methods (recording of longitude, latitude, altitude, labeling and description of samples), measuring of structural elements (foliation, lineation), identifying kinematic indicators, making geodynamic interpretation of the site based on observations and measurements.

LEARNING ACTIVITIES - TEACHING METHODS:

PLANNED LEARNING ACTIVITIES:

Activity Student’s effort
Lectures26 hours
Practical Exercises22 hours
Laboratory work and/or exercises4 hours
Fieldwork8 hours
Preparation of field-exercise report (observations, measurements, sample description and interpretation)10 hours
Homework20 hours
Preparation for laboratory progressive exams20 hours
Preparation for final Assessment40 hours
Total student effort150 hours

ASSESSMENT METHODS AND CRITERIA

Students are assessed in the Greek language (there is the possibility of assessment in English for Erasmus students).

The assessment method through which the final grade is determined includes a series of tests as follows:

Ι. LECTURES (50%)

  • Oral Examination and/or
  • Written Examination with Short-Answer Questions and Multiple-Choice Test and/or
  • Written Examination with Extended-Answer Questions

II. PRACTICE AND LABORATORY EXERCISES (40%)

  • Written progress examination in the practice exercises during the semester (10%)
  • Written examination involving solving exercises and problems in the Practice Exercises and Oral Examination in the Laboratory Exercises (30%)

III. FIELD EXERCISES (FIELDWORK) (10%)

  • Active participation in the compulsory field exercise followed by a written report (10%)

RECOMMENDED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Suggested Bibliography:

  • Petrology of Metamorphic Rocks, D. Kostopoulos (Κωδ. ΕΥΔΟΞΟΣ: 122076666)
  • Petrology of Metamorphic Rocks - Thermodynamic and Thermomechanical Processes (in Greek; EUDOXUS Code No.: 86195557)

Additional Reading Material:

  • Frank S. Spear, 1993. Metamorphic Phase Equilibria and Pressure-Temperature-Time Paths. Monograph, Mineralogical Society of America
  • Anthony R. Philpotts & Jay J. Ague, 2009. Principles of Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (2nd Edition) Cambridge University Press
  • John D. Winter, 2014. Principles of Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (2nd Edition) Pearson Education Limited

Related Scientific Journals:

1 V.S.: Visitor Students (e.g. ERASMUS)

STUDY: